How One Man’s Passion for Nature and Faith is Building Brotherhood and Transforming Lives
OYM was recently blessed to interview three individuals involved in the development and filming of Beyond the Peak, a documentary film chronicling the incredible story of David Rayman-Rajkovic as well as the creation of his Orthodox Hiking Ministry, the Mountain Men of Saint Nicholas.
Beyond the Peak is a poignant documentary capturing the transformative journey of David and his Orthodox Christian mountain climbing club. In 2010, grieving the loss of his brother Zachary, David fulfills Zachary's final wish to climb Colorado's Blanca Peak and pray for his soul. Documenting the ascent, David and brother-in-law Ranko overcome challenges, reaching the summit for Zachary's memorial. The experience sparks the creation of a spiritual climbing club, blending mountaineering with prayer. With each climb the club grew, gaining a brother. Escaping death on Mt. Humboldt, the club embraces a higher purpose — bringing the Holy Divine Liturgy to the mountains. Returning to Mount Blanca, the club faces formidable challenges, fasting for Lent, and carrying equipment for the Liturgy. Led by David, they overcome their obstacles and serve the Liturgy at 13,500 feet above sea level. For the Mountain Men of Indianapolis, the final ascent becomes a divine communion with nature, emerging as brothers atop the summit. From pain arises purpose, echoing the mountains' call - a call the Mountain Men willingly answer, forever bound by the transcendent experiences found beyond the peak.
—Aleksandar Jovic (sourced from IMDB)
OYM had the chance to interview Aleksander Jovic, the director of Beyond the Peak, as well as David Rayman-Rajkovic, and Father Marko Bojovic to discuss the film and young people’s roles within their Orthodox Communities.
Creating the Film
Firstly, here is our interview with Aleksander (Aleks) Jovic, the videographer and director of Beyond the Peak.
OYM: How did you first learn about David’s story and the Saint Nicholas Mountain Club?
Aleks: Oh man, it’s actually kind of funny. So, I’ve known Father Dragan, the priest in the documentary, since my church days as a kid. We met through church camp, where he was a parish counselor. He was young back then, and so were we. His father eventually became our parish priest in Cincinnati, Ohio, while Father Dragan’s parish is in Indianapolis, Indiana—about an hour and a half away.
Fast forward a bit—Father Dragan knew I was a filmmaker, and in 2012, he asked me to make a short film about a youth retreat. It was my first documentary project, and it turned out great. We stayed in touch after that, but nothing really came of it until 2016. That February, he called me and told me about this mountain-climbing ministry where they go to Colorado, climb mountains, and connect with God. He asked if I’d come to document it, and I felt spiritually obligated — like God was calling me to do it.
Father Dragan gave me David’s contact info, and when I called, it was just this fast-paced, excited rambling on his end. The connection was awful, so I barely understood anything. But his passion came through loud and clear.
I finally met David at a liturgy service in Indianapolis about a week later—right before I moved to Los Angeles. After the liturgy and coffee hour, we talked, and he started sharing the story about his first climb with his brother-in-law Ranko in honor of his [David’s] brother Zachary, who had passed away. They climbed to the top of a mountain, prayed, and that memorial hike became the catalyst for their entire journey and the formation of the Saint Nicholas Mountain Club.
I was floored. I went into this project thinking it would just be a short film, but their story was so rich and layered that I knew it had the potential to be a full-length documentary. They already had this incredible footage of their climbs, which gave the project a foundation. I told David that day, “You already have Act One and Act Two of a three-act story. If you ever do a liturgy on the mountain, you’ll have a complete narrative.”
In February 2017, David called me again and said they were planning a liturgy climb, with Father Marko—who had since become a priest—leading it. That was the missing piece for a full movie. So, we started planning logistics, assembling a small crew, and preparing to film in Colorado. Two weeks before the climb, I conducted in-depth interviews to piece together their story.
We also started drawing connections between their experiences and stories from the Bible, like the Transfiguration, the Ten Commandments, and the idea of ascending mountains to encounter God. What they’re doing isn’t entirely unique—it’s deeply rooted in scripture. They’re not biblical figures, but everyday people finding their purpose and forging a deeper connection with God. It’s both a physical and spiritual journey, an allegory that ties back to ancient traditions.
Before this project, I’d never climbed a mountain or even camped before. So, when I joined them, it was all brand new to me. Thankfully, I’m pretty active, so I managed. But it was surreal—a complete out-of-body experience. I just kept thinking, “Alright, let’s go do this and figure it out as we go.”
OYM: From a filmmaking perspective, you and your crew experienced the climb alongside the hikers. Could you share what that journey was like for you—both the physical demands and the spiritual aspects?
Aleks: For me, and I imagine for my crew as well, it was incredibly challenging. It wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. We had trained for it, but honestly, not nearly enough. To make the trip possible, we rented a specialized vehicle to transport most of our gear up the mountain. Without it, we would have been carrying 40-50 pounds each on our backs, including food, tents, layers for unpredictable weather, and all the camera equipment. Even with the help, carrying just the camera gear—three to five pounds per camera plus batteries and media—was exhausting.
There were three of us operating cameras, and we were all pretty new to this level of documentary filmmaking. Being an independent, low-budget project, much of it was improvised. The elevation added to the difficulty. Starting at 8,000 feet and climbing to a base camp at 12,000 feet was brutal. The thin air hit immediately—it was hard to breathe from the start. By the end of the first day, I was completely wiped out, and on the second day, I didn’t have much energy left to plan or get creative with the shots.
When summit day came, though, everything changed. I was running on pure adrenaline. I remember thinking, This is it. I have to capture everything because there’s no second chance. I was constantly moving, setting up shots, running to another spot, and trying to document as much as possible.
One challenge we faced was communication. We brought walkie-talkies, but they didn’t work. Without them, coordinating who was filming what was nearly impossible. If something important was happening just a little way off, I might not realize it until it was too late. There were moments we couldn’t capture as effectively as we would have liked because of this, but we did our best to stay in the action and adjust on the fly.
The physical aspect of the climb was already a test, but the filming made it even harder. Spiritually, I felt somewhat disconnected during the initial climb. As a filmmaker, my focus was on documenting rather than participating. There was also the added dynamic of being an outsider—showing up with cameras and being in the climbers’ space as they navigated their journey.
“Storytelling is timeless.”
OYM: We’ve previously highlighted different kinds of ministry in the Orthodox Church in America and how individuals can use their unique gifts to build a sense of community in a pan-Orthodox way. It would be interesting to ask you, as a filmmaker, how you see your art and talents fitting into Orthodox ministry. How does your work as a filmmaker help you spiritually and potentially impact others?
Aleks: For me, it’s about finding the stories and the inspiration behind them. Storytelling is timeless — it connects us, fosters empathy, and teaches us lessons. I think filmmaking is a powerful medium for telling stories that resonate on a human level.
When I made Beyond the Peak, my goal was to craft a narrative that could be meaningful to everyone, not just Orthodox or Christian audiences. If a film is made exclusively for one group, it can limit the story’s reach and potential impact. My focus was on portraying the real, everyday lives of people, showing how their experiences in the natural world and in community with one another become avenues for spiritual growth and connection with God.
Filmmaking for me is about creating empathy and understanding. The best stories take viewers on an emotional journey, leaving them inspired and reflective. In Beyond the Peak, it was about highlighting the beauty of nature as a space for personal refuge, spiritual growth, and building faith-centered relationships.
OYM: That’s a beautiful perspective. How do you see your work as distinct from other forms of Christian or faith-based filmmaking?
Aleks: Documentaries, like Beyond the Peak, are a bit less common in Christian filmmaking, which tends to focus more on scripted pieces. I think documentaries offer a raw authenticity that resonates deeply. The goal for me is to tell stories that inspire hope, optimism, and purpose while remaining authentic and relatable.
OYM: Do you have any advice for young Orthodox Christian creatives or filmmakers who want to use their gifts in a similar way?
Aleks: My advice is simple: start creating. Experiment, explore, and refine your skills. If you find a story or art form that resonates with you, pursue it wholeheartedly. There’s no substitute for diving in and learning through experience.
The industry itself is challenging, especially now with so many changes, but storytelling will always hold value. It’s about finding what speaks to you and sharing it in a way that inspires others.
OYM: That’s great advice. Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share about Beyond the Peak or any future projects?
Aleks: Right now, I don’t have a specific project lined up, but I’m exploring new ideas and navigating the current challenges in the industry. My focus is on continuing to tell meaningful stories and finding ways to keep growing creatively.
Building the Ministry
Next, here is our interview with David Rayman-Rajkovic, the main subject of Beyond the Peak as well as the founder of the Mountain Men of Saint Nicholas.
OYM: I wanted to begin by asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself and your history in the Orthodox Church.
David: My family has been part of the Saint Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church community in Indianapolis, Indiana, for over 25 years. My parents were baptized in the church, and my siblings and I were as well. My wife, who is a Bosnian Serb and also Serbian Orthodox, and I are now raising our children in the same community.
Currently, I serve as the president of the Saint Nicholas Serbian Orthodox community. It’s not just a church for us—it’s truly a family and a way of life that we love being part of.
My Serbian Orthodox heritage traces back to my grandfather, who came to Indianapolis over 115 years ago in 1909 from coastal Christian Serbia. He and my grandmother, who was American, married in the 1920s and raised five children. Unfortunately, as the years passed, much of the family drifted away from the Orthodox Church.
Growing up, we attended a local Christian church in our neighborhood. However, one day my father attended an international festival in Indianapolis and visited a Serbian booth. There, he learned more about his heritage and the Orthodox faith, and the community invited him to visit the Saint Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church. When he and my mother attended, they saw photos of our ancestors, including my great-grandparents, who were Orthodox. That experience deeply resonated with our family.
We were drawn back to the Orthodox faith — it was like we were being called home. Over time, we all embraced the Orthodox Church, and it has been a beautiful and fulfilling journey for us.
OYM: How do hiking and the outdoors fit into your life, or even into your faith journey?
David: I’ve always been passionate about the outdoors. I’m a landscaper by profession and studied environmental science, geology, geography, and forestry in college. I’ve always felt a deep connection to nature, so pursuing those fields of study felt natural to me.
While in college at Indiana State in Terre Haute, I combined my love of nature with my growing spiritual life. Being in nature became a sacred experience for me. I remember being on top of a mountain, and instead of asking God for things in prayer, I just glorified Him. I was in awe of the Creator of heaven and earth. That experience was transformative—it deepened my faith and gave me a profound sense of being in the right place, both physically and spiritually.
Nature has a way of revealing God’s beauty and presence. It’s where I often feel closest to Him, and it’s become an essential part of my life and faith.
Climbing Through Grief
OYM: How did the idea for the Saint Nicholas Mountain Club come about?
David: The idea came during a very intense and emotional time in my life. I had been heavily involved in climbing and spending time in the mountains for about a decade since college. My younger brother, Zachary, who was much younger than me, became seriously ill. He suffered a broken rib, and his condition deteriorated quickly. The family was called to the hospital, where the doctors told me privately that his situation was dire. They asked me to speak with my parents about potentially removing life support because they believed he wouldn’t make it.
I didn’t know what to do, so I immediately called our priest. The priest came to confess my brother, and shortly after, he passed away.
During that time of grief, I had this overwhelming urge to climb a mountain in honor of my brother. I felt that if I could just get to the summit and pray there, I might find some healing and peace. I convinced my brother-in-law to join me since I couldn’t find anyone else, and we climbed a mountain in Colorado together.
Standing at the top of that mountain was overwhelming. It was a deeply spiritual experience, and I felt closer to God than ever before. I turned to my brother-in-law and said, This was powerful. Wouldn’t it be amazing to bring others to the mountaintop to experience this? He agreed wholeheartedly.
When I returned to Indianapolis, I brought the idea to my parish priest, Father Dragan Petrovic. I told him, I know this isn’t something typical in the Orthodox Church, but hear me out. I want to take men into the mountains. I want them to leave behind their phones, computers, and distractions, to fast, to pray, and to put their worries and prayers into God’s hands. Some might reach the summit, and others might not, but the focus would be on prayer, brotherhood, and encountering God in His creation.
Father Dragan liked the idea but told me I needed to get approval from our bishop, Bishop Longin. So, I wrote a letter explaining the vision. Honestly, with the busyness of life, I almost forgot about it. But one day, I received a response saying I had the bishop’s blessing. Not only that, but this would officially be a mission of our diocese, under the guidance of the Church.
Since then, we’ve taken men over the age of 21, to the summits of 14,000-foot mountains across America.
OYM: Did you notice a specific need within your community—or within the Serbian Orthodox community as a whole—that your ministry through the Saint Nicholas Mountain Hiking Club seeks to address? For instance, something we've observed is that many young people, especially young men, can feel lost in their role within the Church. Do you think your ministry helps address that need and helps young men realize their role?
David: Absolutely, that’s exactly what we’re trying to do. The mission of the hiking club is to bring these men into a quiet place—away from the noise of the world—and give them space to reflect, pray, and grow. When we head into the mountains, we encourage the men to bring their tents, their Book of Psalms, and the Book of Hours. While there, we engage in deep discussions about male-specific issues, world issues, and how to offer these struggles to God.
The goal is to create stronger Orthodox men—to help them find fulfillment and a sense of purpose, both spiritually and physically. By climbing these mountains, they’re not just pushing their physical limits; they’re also building self-esteem and confidence. It’s transformative in both body and soul.
The spiritual aspect is central. There’s no way to avoid it because we’re a group that prays together, discusses Scripture, and continuously offers our challenges to God. It’s a process of building—building spiritually through prayer and physically through the climb.
Climbing a mountain can be extremely frightening at times, but that’s where the growth happens. These men face those challenges head-on and come out stronger. When we return from these trips, I can see and feel the difference in them. Their confidence is renewed, and they seem more assured in their abilities.
OYM: Could you describe what a typical hike with the Saint Nicholas Mountain Club looks like? How do you balance the physical activity with spiritual growth?
David: Since the club received its blessing in 2011 from His Grace, Bishop Longin, one of my commitments has been to ensure that the men are trained before heading to the mountains. Additionally, participants must be part of our church community, or at least attend our services.
For instance, we once had a young man named AJ who heard about the club. He wasn’t Serbian or Orthodox, but he expressed interest in joining us. I initially wasn’t sure how to proceed, so I consulted with my priest. He told me to pray about it. After much thought, I decided to give AJ a chance, but under one condition: he had to attend Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings.
AJ, who was 23 or 24 at the time, started coming to church regularly. Over the years, he’s become one of our brothers. He’s climbed numerous mountains with us and is now an expert in rock climbing and rope training. In fact, he’s currently the one teaching our men how to handle ropes and climb safely.
As for training, we make it mandatory for participants to learn belaying, rappelling, bouldering, and cardiovascular conditioning to prepare for the physical demands of mountain climbing. I also encourage most of the men to become lead certified, which involves learning proper rope climbing techniques with harnesses and working as a team. Climbing is not something that comes naturally to humans—it’s a skill that requires discipline, coordination, and confidence. Our training focuses on teaching techniques like three-point climbing, mixed body mechanics, and situational awareness to ensure everyone is well-prepared.
The second part of your question touches on how we balance physical activity with spiritual growth. We prioritize building unity among the men. We spend time together outside of climbing—camping, hiking, and simply hanging out. These activities create a sense of brotherhood, and our faith is naturally integrated into these moments.
Orthodoxy ties in beautifully with nature because the wilderness is largely untouched by human influence. When you’re surrounded by towering mountains, waterfalls, diverse trees like aspens, evergreens, and bristlecones, it’s impossible not to feel awe at the Creator’s work. The sheer beauty of the environment—the extremes of weather, the frozen lakes with trout still thriving, and the ever-changing landscapes—makes it easy to bring faith into the experience.
“Use the talents God has given you.”
OYM: The outdoors and nature, as part of God’s creation, clearly play a big role in your identity. You’ve brought that together with the church to create a ministry. If someone wanted to start a similar ministry—using their gifts to address the needs of their community—what advice would you give them based on your experience?
David: I would say this first: I was not a great scholar. School didn’t come easily to me. I worked hard but struggled with academics, even during my years at Indiana State and later with some additional studies at Notre Dame. What came naturally to me, though, was the outdoors—hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, and survival skills. These weren’t just hobbies; they were part of my upbringing. My father instilled these abilities in me, and they became second nature.
That’s the foundation of my advice: use the talents God has given you. For me, the outdoors and survival skills were gifts, and I decided to offer them back to God by creating this ministry. But for someone else, it could be something entirely different. It doesn’t have to involve mountains. It could be a hiking group, fishing trips, camping outings, woodworking, or even something as simple as walking through a local park. Whatever your talent is, recognize it as a gift, and use it to build a ministry.
Start by praying over your idea and seeking God’s guidance. Ask for a blessing from your church community and your bishop. Involve your priest, deacon, or other church leaders in the process. Their support and guidance will be essential.
Another crucial element is prayer for your group. I pray for the men in my mountain climbing ministry—their families, their spiritual growth, and their lives. They’ve become like family to me, and I want them to develop into strong Orthodox Christians and family men. Praying for your ministry and the people in it is a vital part of the process.
Finally, be authentic and present in your ministry. Live your faith as you lead. People respond to sincerity and a genuine commitment to their well-being. When you combine your God-given talents with prayer, community, and authenticity, you’ll be amazed at what God can accomplish through you.
Helping Others Find Peace
Lastly, here is OYM’s interview with Father Marko Bojovic, the priest who accompanied David and served the liturgy as one of the Mountain Men of Saint Nicholas.
OYM: Father, could you start by introducing yourself? Perhaps share your history with the Orthodox Church and how you became a priest?
Fr. Marko: Of course. I was born and raised in a country that used to be called Yugoslavia, now Serbia. My upbringing in the Church was influenced by the Serbian tradition of celebrating a family’s Slava—an annual commemoration of the family’s patron saint. For my family, it was St. George.
Growing up during a turbulent period marked by civil wars, economic crises, and even international bombing forced me to wrestle with life’s profound questions. It was a time when one desperately sought answers because the alternative was despair. Little by little, I discovered that the most precious truths were right before me—in the fullness of God's Church.
While I initially found contentment in this discovery, God had other plans. It was as if He said, “It’s wonderful that you’ve found this peace, but now you must help others find it too.” Gradually, He guided me toward the priesthood, which is how I came to be where I am today.
OYM: How did you first become involved with the Saint Nicholas Mountain Club?
Fr. Marko: During my undergraduate studies, I spent a semester in Indianapolis, where I became familiar with the Serbian Orthodox community and broader Orthodox circles in central Indiana. This community became like family to me, and it’s also where I met my wife. We were married in that church, and it’s where we began our life together.
The Saint Nicholas Mountain Club’s story began with a tragic event—the loss of David’s brother, as you know from the film. David’s response was to make a pilgrimage to the mountains, and from there, the idea of taking others along grew.
I was invited to join one of their trips early on. At the time, I was a deacon, which made it easier for me to participate since parish priests often have more responsibilities that keep them grounded. While I’ve always loved nature, I admit that mountain climbing was beyond my comfort zone. Still, out of love and friendship for the group, I joined them.
It quickly became clear that this wasn’t just a recreational activity. The mountains provided a profound setting—a space for retreat, reflection, and spiritual growth. From the very first trip, we began discussing the idea of one day serving a Divine Liturgy at the summit.
“It turned affliction into blessing.”
OYM: What was it like finally celebrating the Divine Liturgy on the mountain?
Fr. Marko: It was a remarkable experience. Initially, we struggled to find a priest with the physical ability and time to join us. Even the year we finally managed to do it—filmed for the documentary—we had two other priests lined up who ultimately had to cancel. By that time, I had been ordained a presbyter, so I ended up leading the liturgy.
It was paradoxical, though. Part of the purpose of these trips was to escape the noise of modern life, yet there we were with cameras and microphones all around us. Our friend Aleks had initially planned to make a simple promotional video using footage from previous trips, but as the idea of the liturgy emerged, he envisioned something more significant. He secured funding for a full documentary, and suddenly, we had a production crew following us.
Despite the initial awkwardness, the mountain setting helped us focus. We quickly bonded with the crew, and soon, the cameras faded into the background. The film became more than just about us; it symbolized turning affliction into blessing—offering our struggles to God and letting Him transform them into something meaningful.
OYM: That transformation resonates deeply, especially with younger people who feel their gifts or talents aren’t being fully used in their church communities. How do you think ministries like the Saint Nicholas Mountain Club help young people realize their potential?
Fr. Marko: One of the most beautiful things about this ministry is how it turns something seemingly mundane—like hiking—into a prayer and a pilgrimage. That’s a lesson for all of us: whatever we do in life, if we connect it to God, it becomes meaningful.
It’s not so much about what we do but how we do it. Even activities that seem ordinary can become sacred if they help us connect with God and each other. Conversely, even the most spiritual-seeming actions can feel empty if done with the wrong heart.
This ministry is also deeply communal. David could have climbed those mountains alone, but he chose to share the experience, building a community in the process. That’s a valuable lesson—working together requires us to set aside our egos, to forgive, and to foster peace.
OYM: What do you think is especially significant about this ministry for young men?
Fr. Marko: Young people are full of life and energy, and this ministry engages their entire being—body, mind, and spirit. The physical challenge of climbing a mountain fosters confidence and character. At the same time, the communal aspect teaches them to work together, forgive, and build relationships.
Most importantly, it addresses one of the greatest challenges of our time: loneliness. I once attended a retreat where we surveyed over 100 young people, asking them about their greatest fear. Seventy-five percent answered loneliness. That’s why simply being together in a Christ-centered environment is so powerful.
When young people are in such settings, they don’t need their gadgets or distractions. Real relationships—living, praying, and working alongside others—fulfill a deep, God-given need for community. This is what ministries like the Saint Nicholas Mountain Club provide, and it’s transformative.
Learn more about the documentary and how to watch it at beyondthepeakfilm.com.
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